ANDOVER TWP. — Three candidates will vie for the Republican nomination to two, three-year seats on the Township Committee in the June 3 primary.

The candidates include two incumbents, Philip Boyce and Dolores Blackburn, and a challenger, Jack Burke. The three candidates have all emphasized their commitment to holding down taxes by containing costs, offering commercial incentives to increase the township’s ratables, and supporting shared services with other municipalities.

The two candidates selected in the June primary will represent the Republican Party in November’s general election. No Democrats have filed.

John “Jack” Burke

Age: 43

Hometown: Andover Township, six years

Family: Married 14 years to Sabrina Burke, chairwoman of the Andover Township Recreation Committee. We have three children: John 8, Julia, 5, and Alaina, 3.

Education: Graduate of the University of Delaware. B.A. history.

Occupation: Regional director for the Northeast U.S. at Mimedx Group Inc., an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of patent protected regenerative biomaterial products and bioimplants.

Experience: I have previously served the township as vice president of the Andover Regional Education Foundation, a volunteer organization dedicated to funding school improvements through private donations, without using taxpayer money. The AREF provided needed resources to the Andover schools, smart boards being just one example. I served as a volunteer firefighter in Washington Township. I also served our nation, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps upon graduating from University of Delaware. I stand for volunteerism and service. Professionally I have over 20 years of leadership experience in organizations ranging from Fortune 50 corporations to small startups.

Are you currently serving on a board or committee? No. Resigned as Andover Regional Education Foundation vice president in 2013 to pursue committee position.

Campaign website: None.

List your top 3 issues and what you would do regarding each issue.

1. Increase revenue. We should increase revenue by developing a smart master plan that brings new ratables to our community. We need ratables and the revenue they bring to support our services, whether it is keeping our roads plowed in winter or recreation programs for our children and seniors. However, we need to obtain these ratables without compromising the rural character of our community. We will encourage new businesses to take advantage of opportunities such as the new Roseville train station. This train station is coming soon and needs to be planned for. We will improve our processes so that businesses want to invest in our community, but we will accomplish this without being sellouts. We cannot lose the very qualities of our town that led us to choose Andover in the first place.

2. Contain costs. I will seek to stabilize and contain costs. I will use my 20-plus years of budget and negotiating experience to get our township a fair deal for services. I will continue to seek shared services and reduce unnecessary processes. I will not take township health benefits for myself or my family. This alone will be instant savings to our township.

3. Increase cooperation with other town committees, departments and organizations such as the Board of Education. Having been involved with the AREF, attended many Board of Education meetings and having three children that are or will go through Andover’s education system I can’t help but be involved. I want the same thing we all do: a great school system that brings value to our community without any of us, especially `our respected seniors, having to pay a penny more than we have too. It is time we work with the Board of Education as one community to make this happen.

What else should we know?

I love Andover Township. I first visited our town as young man over 28 years ago when my uncle moved here. I fell in love with our lakes, woods, rolling hills and most importantly the people. It took me a bit to get here, but I knew this is where I wanted to raise a family, and when I had the chance I purchased a home here. I am glad I did, and I want for your family as well as mine to enjoy this community for many years to come. Please support this goal on June 3.

In Case You Missed It

In 1881, five short line regional railroads combined with the New Jersey Midland Railroad to form the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway. This new line played an important role in hauling coal out of Pennsylvania to the greater New York metropolitan